Yan Xiang's old face stretched, and he suddenly smiled and said: "Prefect Lu, is it worth using your words for a mere old man, Yan Xiang?"
"worth!"
Lu Xuan answered decisively.
Yan Xiang shook his head and said: "I have no ability. I just state my thoughts truthfully. I am not worthy of Governor Lu."
Lu Xuan looked serious and continued: "I heard a wise man say that using copper as a mirror can correct clothes; using history as a mirror, you can know the ups and downs; using people as a mirror, you can know gains and losses. In order to dissuade Yuan Shu, Yan Gong ignored
At personal risk, insisting on persuading Yuan Shu is a great talent. I just lack a person like Yan Gong who dares to speak out and has insight into the situation."
Yan Xiang felt a little ashamed when he heard this.
Dare to speak out?
Insight into the situation?
He is still a little behind.
If he really dared to speak out, Yuan Shu would not have ordered his detention, but he did not dare to speak anymore.
After all, Yan Xiang is a man with conscience and bottom line. He shook his head and said: "I can't bear the compliment from Grand Administrator Lu, so I'm flattering you."
Lu Xuan said: "Yan Gong is magnanimous. This alone makes him worthy of his name. Moreover, Yan Gong also knows that Yuan Shu is nothing but mud. He cannot help the people live a good life, nor can he let you express your ambitions."
That being the case, why didn't Yan Gong abandon darkness and surrender to light? It's normal for good birds to choose trees to live in, and wise ministers to choose their masters to work."
When Yan Xiang saw Corporal Lu Xuan Lixian, his attitude was extremely sincere, and he was also moved.
Lu Xuan is indeed good, he has a good family background, he is capable and ambitious, and he can lead troops to fight.
Such people are enough to survive in troubled times.
Yan Xiang took his side and without any further hesitation, he stood up and cupped his hands and said, "I am willing to serve Governor Lu."
"Yan Xiang, pay homage to the lord."
Yan Xiang immediately changed his tune.
Lu Xuan also stood up, supported the surrendered Yan Xiang, and said with a smile: "With the help of Lord Yan, I am as powerful as a tiger."
Yan Xiang took advantage of the situation and said: "My lord has strong soldiers and strong horses. He can defeat Yuan Shu with weak attacks, which shows that he is very strong. Now Yuan Shu is running away in a hurry, like a panicked dog. If we pursue Yuan Shu now, we can easily sweep across Jiujiang County and drive Yuan Shu away."
Lu Xuan said: "I understand Cheng Yan's suggestion and will consider it. The night is deep, so Yan Gong should rest early."
Yan Xiang also immediately agreed.
Lu Xuan accepted Yan Xiang, and because it was late, he did not disturb Yan Xiang anymore. He returned to the Chinese army's tent, chatted with Zhou Yu, and continued to deal with matters in the camp.
Late at night, Lu Xuan and Zhou Yu took a rest.
The sky is bright and the sun is high in the sky.
Taishi Ci came back with his men. He placed his soldiers, made a general inventory of the losses, and then happily came to the Chinese army's tent and reported: "My lord, we have won a great victory this time to cover up Yuan Shu."
Lu Xuan smiled and said: "Tell me about the results of the battle."
Taishi Ci reported: "The current statistics show that more than 9,000 Yuan soldiers were killed, and more than 8,000 Yuan soldiers were captured. More specific data are still being counted."
"Our own casualties, all casualties totaled, are only over 1,600 people."
"This time, we defeated Yuan Shu's elite. Although Yuan Shu escaped, he suffered heavy losses and could no longer make waves. On the other hand, our black-armored soldiers did not lose much, and the elite are still there, so we can continue to fight."
Taishi Ci was full of fighting spirit and said: "Please give the order, my lord, to continue the attack, seize Jiujiang, and capture Yuan Shu."
Lu Xuan was also happy when he heard it.
After killing 9,000 Yuan soldiers and capturing more than 8,000 people, Yuan Shu lost most of his troops and was no longer capable of fighting.
Lujiang County is completely stable.
Only now did Lu Xuan truly gain a firm foothold. Moreover, after Lu Xuan defeated Yuan Shu, the news spread to Yangzhou and other places, which could have a deterrent effect.
Lu Xuan thought for a moment and said, "Whether we want to seize Jiujiang County directly or not, we have to discuss it before making a decision."
"Come here, please invite Zhou Yu and Yan Xiang to discuss matters."
Lu Xuan immediately gave the order.
Not long after, Zhou Yu and Yan Xiang entered hand in hand and saluted Lu Xuan before sitting down.
Lu Xuan said directly: "In this battle with Yuan Shu, we killed more than 9,000 Yuan troops and captured more than 8,000 people. Yuan Shu's army was completely defeated. What needs to be determined now is how to proceed next?"
Yan Xiang said without thinking: "Reporting to my lord, Yuan Shu is unpopular in Jiujiang County. Yuan Shu was defeated, so he just sent his army north to seize Jiujiang in one go and expand my lord's territory. As long as Jiujiang is captured, my lord's strength will definitely be further enhanced."
After hearing this, Lu Xuan was thoughtful and did not express his position immediately. It was actually not difficult to seize Jiujiang.
is it necessary?
Lu Xuan's eyes fell on Zhou Yu, waiting for Zhou Yu to speak.
Zhou Yu's temperament became more and more calm. Although he was young, he had participated in many wars with Lu Xuan and had been responsible for dispatching troops and generals. He had changed a lot. He looked as usual and said with a smile: "My lord, I don't agree with this humble position."
Defeat Yuan Shu."
Lu Xuan asked: "What's the reason?"
Yan Xiang also looked over. Zhou Yu did not agree to defeat Yuan Shu, which was tantamount to giving up the meat on his lips.
This is surprising.
Yan Xiang did not have any contempt for Zhou Yu in his heart. A young man who could not be tempted by interests was not simple at all.
Moreover, Yan Xiang also knew Zhou Yu.
This is a young and famous person.
Zhou Yu's eyes were bright and he said in a deep voice: "There are roughly three reasons why I object to the complete annihilation of Yuan Shu."
"First, Jiujiang County is adjacent to Yanzhou Cao Cao. Once we wipe out Yuan Shu, there will be no buffer between us and Cao Cao, and we will have to directly border Cao Cao. In other words, we must allocate a large number of forces and deploy them on the northern border of Jiujiang County.
To defend against Cao Cao's possible attacks."
"It's not cost-effective."
"Second, Jiujiang County is very important. If you go north, you can enter Yanzhou, and if you go south, you can enter Lujiang and even the hinterland of Yangzhou. If we take it completely, Cao Cao may not sit idly by. Once Cao Cao arranges for a partial army to go south, we will have to go to war with Cao Cao.
"
"Cao Cao is not Yuan Shu. Cao Cao's army is more elite. Once the war starts, it will consume a lot of our materials and manpower, making it impossible for us to successfully take over the counties in Jiangdong."
"On the contrary, we should keep Yuan Shu. He will buffer the conflict between us and Cao Cao. In the following time, we will focus on Yuzhang County in the south, Danyang County, Wu County and Kuaiji County in the east."
"These are our basic base and the foundation for our future. Compared with capturing Jiujiang, it is flashy and of little use. However, once we capture the southern counties, it will be our real hinterland."
"This is a long-term consideration."
"Thirdly, once Yuan Shu, a bereaved dog, is cornered, if he abandons his dignity and face and directly joins Cao Cao, our troubles will be even greater. So for the time being, we can keep Yuan Shu in Jiujiang. He has his own territory, so we won't
If you are willing to encourage Cao Cao, you can only ask Cao Cao for help. It will not have much impact on us."
Zhou Yu talked eloquently, with a wise look in his eyes.
He had his own analysis and unique insights into Lu Xuan's future direction, and continued: "The first thing my lord must make clear is that we must first seize the counties in Yangzhou and truly establish a foothold in the south before we can have a future."
Yan Xiang's old face showed a look of shock.
sharp!
This analysis is very insightful.
With people like Zhou Yu, it's no wonder that Lu Xuan could defeat Yuan Shu easily. He didn't care about the gains and losses of one city or one place, but the overall situation.
This is great talent.
Yan Xiang was also sincerely convinced and said in admiration: "I also agree to keep Yuan Shu. This is a mature plan. Thinking of Zhou Yu's analysis, I thought of Sun Jian. He was appointed as the governor of Changsha early in the morning. He is based in Changsha and is very powerful."
"Later, Sun Jian led his army north to Luoyang to defeat Dong Zhuo, and then got involved with Yuan Shu in order to obtain more benefits."
"Sun Jian was fighting outside. Although he achieved great military exploits, he gained nothing in the end. Moreover, his retreat was cut off by Liu Biao, and Changsha was also controlled by local powerful families. Sun Jian was unable to return to Changsha at all, and eventually died in Xiangyang."
Yan Xiang said: "For this reason, it is indeed the safest arrangement to stabilize the basic market first and gain more foundations."
Taishi Ci admired in his heart, Zhou Yu is really powerful.
Why didn't he think of this level? After destroying Yuan Shu and directly bordering Cao Cao, he must be on guard against Cao Cao.
Otherwise, what if we are attacked by Cao Cao?
Once a conflict breaks out, the focus of Lujiang County will be adjusted to Jiujiang County, which will definitely affect the development of Lujiang.
Tai Shici said: "My lord, I agree with Zhou Sima's analysis. There is value in keeping Yuan Shu, so I second my opinion."
Lu Xuan said: "Since we have reached a unified opinion, we will not annihilate Yuan Shu for the time being. However, Yuan Shu attacked Lujiang County. It cannot be justified without revenge, and Yuan Shu cannot be free from pressure. Otherwise, Yuan Shu will go south wantonly."
"Sun Ce went south before and was defeated by us. I led a raid on the important town of Hefei, where the power has weakened. This time, I captured Hefei and became the bridgehead for our attack on Jiujiang. Taking Hefei is equivalent to planting a nail in Jiujiang.
, you can raid Jiujiang at any time, which can further deter Yuan Shu."
"My lord is wise!"
Zhou Yu and Yan Xiang answered in unison.
Yan Xiang glanced at Lu Xuan again, admiring in his heart.
Zhou Yu has an excellent view of the overall situation.
Lu Xuan's arrangement was even more exquisite.
Hefei is the gateway to the south of Jiujiang County and is a very important town. After capturing Hefei, Lu Xuan can send troops at any time if he wants to deal with Yuan Shu. And this time Yuan Shu fled in embarrassment. Lu Xuan will capture Hefei easily and will not waste any time.
any power.
Lu Xuan ordered: "Ziyi, the army has rested for a long time. You lead the army north and take back Lu'an County first, and then turn around and capture Hefei."
"As you command!"
Taishi Ci answered with clasped fists.
He got up to make arrangements, and Zhou Yu and Yan Xiang also left. Lu Xuan specially arranged for someone to tell Xu Shao the strategy of keeping Yuan Shu, and asked Xu Shao to stay with Yuan Shu to facilitate Lu Xuan.